After being closed for over 14 months due to COVID-19 restrictions and the upgrade works which commenced last December, the venue is now ready with the final touches being made.

The star of the upgrades is the new-look Encore cafe and bar in the venue's foyer, which boasts modern light fittings, a short-order cook kitchen and new, contemporary furniture.

Read more:

Shoalhaven City Council Manager of Building Services Gary George described it as more "user-friendly", with a more accessible bench top and recharge points for mobility aids, phones and other devices.

Works have also been done to the walls, with the cladding replaced. The replacement product of the red cladding is an Australian made non-combustible solid aluminium sheeting called Olamclad which fully complies with the Building Code of Australia.

"We worked with the NSW Cladding Taskforce and sought expert advice for an appropriate way forward," said Shoalhaven City Council Director for City Lifestyles Jane Lewis.

"Having the materials manufactured in Australia has helped us complete the venue much quicker than anticipated."

The back loading dock and canopy has also been upgraded.

Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley is thrilled to see the venue's doors reopening, and said more than 4,000 people will attend the venue in the first two weeks of its opening.

"The team at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre is delighted the first performance on the Auditorium stage is a morning matinee from audience favourite Monique Montex who will wow audiences with Liza Meets Bassey, showcasing two living legends, Liza Minnelli and Dame Shirley Bassey," said Cr Findley.

The centre will also host In the Zone, a hip-hop-meets-gaming show, Australian children's icon Bluey starring in her Big Play, Melinda Schneider's A Farewell to Doris, Leaving Jackson a show for Johnny Cash fans, and Cancer Council New South Wales' charity fundraiser Stars of Nowra, showcasing the dancing talents of Shoalhaven personalities and dance teachers.

Throughout 2021, the venue will host a variety of popular performances including theatre, dance, children's shows, concerts, comedy, fine music and more.

Access to the Gallery has been upgraded with automatic sliding doors.

Council have also invested in upgrades to the lighting and sound systems. Those works will not impact on the show programme, and will be completed in the near future.

Council appointed Nowra-based architectural firm Edmiston Jones to manage the project, which empoyed more than 120 workers from 15 sub-contractors completing over 7,000 hours of work. The principal contractor Duratec in South Nowra undertook the installation work and contracted the local subcontractors.

For more information, visit the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre's website: http://shoalhavenentertainment.com.au

For ticket or performance related enquiries, contact the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre's box office on 02 4429 5757 or email info@shoalhavenentertainment.com.au.

We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.